F♯ minor sixth (F♯m6) chord on piano

The F♯ minor sixth chord (F♯m6) is a minor sixth chord (a minor triad plus a major sixth), made of four notes: F♯ – A – C♯ – D♯. The same chord with a different spelling: G♭ minor sixth (G♭m6).

Root position: F♯4 – A4 – C♯5 – D♯5

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What the F♯m6 chord sounds like

A minor sixth chord is a minor triad with a major sixth: dark but taut, with a film-noir feel. It is a common minor tonic in gypsy jazz, tango and jazz.

Notes of the F♯m6 chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	F♯	root
3	A	minor third (3 semitones)
5	C♯	perfect fifth (7 semitones)
6	D♯	major sixth (9 semitones)

Root position and inversions

An inversion uses the same notes, with a different note at the bottom. When you change chords, choosing the nearest inversion keeps your hand almost still.

Root position

F♯4 – A4 – C♯5 – D♯5

1st inversion

A4 – C♯5 – D♯5 – F♯5

2nd inversion

C♯5 – D♯5 – F♯5 – A5

3rd inversion

D♯5 – F♯5 – A5 – C♯6

Which keys is it in?

The F♯m6 chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

C♯ minor: iv6 (subdominant)
E major: ii6

Similar chords and substitutes

If F♯m6 is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

A – relative major: two shared notes
D – the major chord a major third below: two shared notes
F♯m7 – a fuller, softer minor colour

Same notes

E♭m7b5 – the same notes with a different root

Simpler versions

F♯m – all 3 of its notes are in this chord

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the F♯m6 chord?

F♯, A, C♯, D♯. The root is F♯; the intervals of the other notes from the root: minor third, perfect fifth, major sixth.

How do I play the F♯m6 chord on piano?

In root position, the right hand usually plays with fingers 1, 3 and 5 (thumb, middle finger, little finger); four-note chords with fingers 1, 2, 3 and 5. The left hand mirrors this: 5, 3, 1. In an inversion the top or bottom note moves to the other side, so your hand moves less when you change chords.

How is the F♯m6 chord written?

The chord symbol is F♯m6 (also written F#m6), and its full name is F♯ minor sixth.